More than 15 years ago, I went to a Van Gogh exhibit at Atlanta's High Museum of Art.  The chance to get up close to the works you see in textbooks, and watch the progression from darker paintings to the wondrously colorful subjects he painted later in his short life was mesmerizing.  You get much the same experience at "Van Gogh:  Brush With Genius" the new film at the OMNIMAX Theater at the Saint Louis Science Center, though not at your own pace.

The 45-minute film traces the 9-year period when Van Gogh produced his art.  Using his personal letters, narrated with snippets of film shot of the landscapes that inspired him, and the paintings that resulted, it brings a magnifying glass to the brushstrokes that made him famous.

The use of the OMNIMAX format to tell this story is an interesting approach.  It gives a shockingly close view of the brushstrokes and layers of color used to create his paintings.  More than anything, it shows the meticulous detail and the texture of the oil paints that make the images so memorable.  It's that incredible blend of color, that you often don't even realize is there, until it's looming over your head that gives the film its impact.

Vab Gogh:  Brush with Genius shows daily at 10am, 1pm and 4pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for kids and seniors.  Visit www.slsc.org to purchase in advance, or purchase at the Saint Louis Science Center ticket windows.

High Fidelity

A.E. Hotchner Theatre - Washington University Performing Arts Department

Saturday, June 13, 2008

As someone who has neither read the book nor seen the movie, I bought my $15 student ticket to this play having no idea what to expect. Well, I came out of the theater thoroughly satisfied and thoroughly amused. With a simple yet colorful and attractive set, New Line Theatre managed to take me right into the world of these characters. The narrative occurs through the eyes of the charismatic record store owner Rob, who boldly opens the play by stepping up front and center and addressing the audience. The play is his story, with him as the narrator, and we're in his head. Rob takes a great deal of license in stopping the action now and again to add commentary and justify his actions.

I would attribute High Fidelity's success to the laugh-out-loud funny score (there were moments I couldn't breathe) and the superb acting. The show ran without a glitch, and the extremely close quarters in the A.E. Hotchner Theatre at did not seem to be a problem. The witty humor was based in reality - the characters were just regular people from different walks of life. In fact, they were so regular at times that their struggles truly hit home. Although I was laughing most of the time, there were a few moments when the situation warranted a more somber mood, and I truly felt sympathy for the plight of the characters. Maybe we're all that funny/pathetic. I wish my life had musical accompaniment.

Being of a younger generation, I didn't get all of the musical references, but it didn't detract at all from my comprehension of the plot. My favorite songs were "Last Real Record Store on Earth," "Number Five With a Bullet," and "Turn the World Off (Turn You On)." The singer of "Turn..." has a phenomenal voice; I was enchanted. I got home and searched all over the internet for a download. Who knows? I might end up buying the soundtrack! I was not quite as enamored with the singing voice of the female protagonist, Laura; it tended to be weak at the upper end of the range and a bit whiny, as well.

The only issue I take with the script is the reference to Hinduism as a means for the negative characterization of Ian, the "other man." Being an Indian and a Hindu myself, I tend to maintain a good sense of humor about misinterpretations of my culture. However, I thought a line was crossed in the intense, almost orgy-like scene in which Ian calls himself ‘Shiva.' Still, I can take a joke and was not irrevocably irritated (just slightly put off) and continued to enjoy this scene and the rest of the show.

As for the rest of the audience, I can say they were a diverse bunch, including some high school students (some parts were a bit too racy for children), and all of them were laughing really hard. I'll surely be looking forward to New Line's next mod musical.

Ten Day Celebration of Films Underway!

Who doesn't like going to the movies? The popcorn, the perfect panoromic picture, the rush of an enthusiastic crowd. Then of course there is the movie itself, unfurling before you on a silver screen with sights and sounds of wonder and intrigue.

If this is your scene, or even if you think it might be then check out the 16th Annual AT&T St. Louis  International Film Festival. Whether your tastes bend towards the mainstream or extend to a particular niche like animation, documentories or contemporary Thai film, the folks at Cinema St. Louis have programmed films for you.

This years festival is a sprawling feast of cinematic intoxication with 271 films, industry workshops, meet and greets, discussions and other programming that will reel you in.to the host venues, Tivoli Theater, Plaza Frontenac Theater, Pulitzer Foundation, Webster University, St. Louis Art Museum,  COCA (Center of Contemporary Arts) and Washington University (Steinberg Hall Auditorium).

Several special events are planned this year including an opening night screening of "The Honeydripper" with SLIFF Lifetime Achievement recipients John Sayles and Maggie Renzi, a  program on the work of Walt Disney by author and film critic Neal Gabler complete with a special program of seldom seen Disney shorts. "Water Films with Peter Greenaway," held in conjunction with the Pulitzer Foundation's "Water" exhibit, features SLIFF Lifetime Achievement recipient Greenaway screening and discussing a mix of his water related films including "Drowning by Numbers." 

There will also be screenings of two silent restored silent film clasics. On November 10th Teinosuke Kinugasa's 1928 expressionistically gorgeous "Crossroads" screens at the St. Louis Art Museum at 7p.m.with musical accompaniment by New Music Circle. At 7 p.m. on November 16^th The Art St. Louis Art Museum hosts a  restored presentation of John Ford's epic silent western masterpeice , "The Iron Horse" with musical accompaniment by organist Stan Kann.  

Because the art of cinema makes our world smaller and helps us understand the uniqueness of other cultures, 40 countries are represented with movies in this years festival. This diversity, combined with the large amount of films being screened makes it impossible for someone to not find something to be interested in.

Everything you possibly need to know about the 16th Annual AT&T St. Louis  International Film Festival is available through the Cinema St. Louis website. www.cinemastlouis.org

Rob Levy